French Defense: Tarrasch Variation
ECO C03 · French Defense · positional · intermediate
The French Defense: Tarrasch Variation (C03) is a positional chess opening in the French Defense family, played by Black. It arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2. Avoids the Bb4 pin. Closed and strategic play. Recommended for intermediate players.
Moves: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2
About this opening
The Tarrasch Variation (3.Nd2) develops the knight to d2 to avoid the Winawer pin while keeping support for the e4 pawn. Play often leads to isolated queen's pawn structures after ...c5, or to more maneuvering closed positions. Sober and flexible, it was a favorite choice of Anatoly Karpov, drawn to its balance of safety and lasting positional pressure.